ACT Math Test Overview, Content Type And Tips To Score High
The ACT Math test has 45 questions in 50 minutes. It covers math students typically learn in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12. That works out to just over a minute per question.
Each question is multiple choice with four answer choices, so you don’t have to show your work.
Check out our ACT Math Practice Test here.
You won’t need complex formulas or long computations, but ACT assumes you know basic formulas and can do basic computation.
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The test focuses on topics that are needed for the student’s success in college math. Your math test score will reflect your total score for the 60 questions plus your category scores for specific math skills.
Scoring high on the ACT math test will help you improve your overall score and will also increase your chances of getting accepted into math-based college courses such as Engineering, Statistics, or Accountancy. This is because it tells your future school that you have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed on a math-based course.
Calculators
You are allowed to use a calculator during the test. A 4-function, scientific, or graphing calculator may be used as long as they’re not included on the list of prohibited calculators. Test-takers are advised to confirm whether the calculator is approved and if they need backup calculators before the test. It is best to bring an extra calculator or a set of batteries as a backup.
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ACT Math Test Content
The ACT Math test has two main categories: Preparing for Higher Math (about 80%) and Integrating Essential Skills (about 20%). Modeling is a third reporting category that counts questions from across both.
Preparing for Higher Math includes these subcategories:
Number & Quantity (10-12%):
Numerical Reasoning Integer and Rational Exponents Vectors and Matrices
Algebra (17-20%)
Algebraic Expressions Solving Different Kinds of Equations
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Functions (17-20%)
Function Notation Representation Application
Geometry (17-20%)
Shapes and Solids Composition of Objects
Statistics and Probability (12-15%)
Describing Center and Spread of Distributions Application and Analysis of Data Collection Methods Calculating Probabilities Understanding and Modeling of Relationships in Bivariate Data
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5 Tips To Score High On The ACT Math Test
1. Start with the right mindset.
Stop saying that you’re poor at math. Your ACT math score depends on how well you’ve prepared and your study strategies, and the test gets easier with practice.
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2. Answer the easy questions first.
Don’t let one hard question eat your time. Answer the questions you know first, mark the tough ones, and come back to them. You have just over a minute per question.
3. Know your weakness and take practice tests.
Math is a subject that gets better with practice. Taking practice tests will help you determine your weakness and it also tells you where to focus your energy when studying for the test. Math drills through ACT practice tests will help you get better at the subject.
4. Understand how to use math formulas correctly.
It’s not enough to memorize formulas. You need to know how to use them correctly. Practice using formulas for geometry (area, perimeter, volume, Pythagorean theorem), trigonometry (sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, cotangent), algebra (slope, slope-intercept form, logarithms), and probability and statistics (average, probabilities, combinations, percentages).
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5. Read and understand the question.
Go through the question carefully and understand what is being asked. Solve the problem and look for your solution in the answer options. Use the calculator to do basic operations and double check your work.
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